28 November 2014

Azkals suffer first loss in Suzuki Cup after 3-1 beating at hands of host Vietnam

From: Karlo Sacamos

HANOI - The honeymoon phase is over for the Philippine men's football team. Showing they still have a lot to improve on, the Azkals suffered a 3-1 beating at the hands of Vietnam at the end of the group stage of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup on Friday night at the My Dinh National Stadium. Facing a familiar foe that had the home crowd of more than 30,000 people behind them, the Azkals trailed early on and then fell into a deeper hole in the second half to suffer the disappointing defeat. Ngo Hoang Tinh, Vu Minh Tuan, and Pham Thang Luong were on target for Vietnam, which scored twice just eight minutes apart early in the second half to take control. Paul Mulders, who came in as a halftime sub, provided a glimmer of hope with a goal in the 59th minute. But there were no miracles this time for the Filipinos.